Dariush Rafinejad

US Patent:

59951389, Nov 30, 1999

Filed:

Jul 25, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/686344

Inventors:

Richard D. Beer - Sunnyvale CA
Hassan Mostafavi - Los Altos CA
Dariush Rafinejad - Los Altos Hills CA

Assignee:

Image Science Corporation - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

H04N 5253
H04N 947

US Classification:

348 96

Abstract:

A computer-automation tool for dentists and insurance companies to communicate dental patient information is provided. Such system has a specialized PC-peripheral that produces digital images from transparency films and dental intra-oral intra-oral radiographs, e. g. , x-ray films, for storage, retrieval, viewing, transmission, and processing on computer networks. For example, dental intra-oral radiograph images can be captured at a local dentist's office and transmitted over the internet to support quick insurance claim processing. The digitizer peripheral is automatic enough that no special skills beyond that of an office clerk are required. To digitize an x-ray film frame, the film is simply dropped into a slot on the digitizer peripheral. No menu items or key needs to be selected on the computer. The sensing of the film insertion, its positioning, and releasing it after digitization are all automatic.

US Patent:

52620298, Nov 16, 1993

Filed:

Nov 21, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/440478

Inventors:

David Erskine - Mountain View CA
Randall S. Mundt - Pleasanton CA
Dariush Rafinejad - Los Altos Hills CA
Vernon W. H. Wong - Mountain View CA
Gerald Z. Yin - San Jose CA

Assignee:

LAM Research - Fremont CA

International Classification:

C23F 102

US Classification:

20429815

Abstract:

A wafer clamping mechanism includes a clamp ring having a central opening corresponding to the geometry of a conventional semiconductor wafer. An overhang located about the opening engages the corresponding semiconductor wafer when in place on an electrode of a plasma reactor. The clamp ring is resiliently mounted on a housing which holds a second electrode. The clamp ring is automatically engaged against the wafer as the spacing between the two electrodes is adjusted to a desired gap width. A raised annular barrier on the lower electrode circumscribes the wafer and engages a mating surface on the clamp ring in order to enhance alignment of the clamp.